Local chamber supported by city and its CED Board
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you have a vibrate city that sits along the water and boasts lots of interesting shops you want to encourage visitors and Marine City is no exception.
The Marine City Area Chamber of Commerce, that’s some 100 members strong, launched their “Discover 48039” (the city’s zip code) about four months ago and continues to work hard to promote their gem in the southeast end of St. Clair County.
Chamber President Laura Merchant said the chamber created a marketing committee for the project and also worked with the Marine City Community and Economic Development Board. She said City Commissioner Michael Hilferink, who’s also on the CED Board, worked hard to support the campaign including shifting some funding dollars their way.
Graphic Designer Analise Merchant created the logo for the ‘Discover 48039’ campaign in Marine City.
“Commissioner Hilferink really helped get us started and to get things going,” Merchant said.
“We also had great support from the city (officials).”
The Chamber’s Marketing Committee met regularly to brainstorm ideas to try and get people to come to the city. They came up with several ideas including a trifold brochure, a pair of signs for specific locations in the city and taking out several full-page advertisements in C&G Newspapers.
“The ad has a coupon on it for a discount when shopping in the city and that will run three-months in a row with C&G Newspapers,” Merchant said. “In addition, we’ll continue to promote Marine City year-round sharing information about our ice flows and our eagles and all the cool stuff here.”
A pair of large signs promoting the campaign will be placed in two spots in the city; at the Civic Women’s Club River Park and the transient marina.
The committee is also planning to print some promotional items like t-shirts and coffee mugs with the tagline “Discover 48039.”
The trifold brochures have already been delivered to area travel spots, and will be available at visitor centers throughout Michigan. A local photographer took the photos for the brochure which includes a lighthouse with a sunset and graphic artist Anelise Merchant came up with the logo.
“It’s got a very nautical theme and we’re hoping people see it and instead of going up north say, hey, let’s go to Marine City,” Merchant said.
So far, the idea seems to be working with business owners reporting an increase in foot traffic to their stores including people utilizing the coupon inside the brochure.
“You can see it now so we know it’s working (the campaign) and the coupon is a way for us to measure how things are going too,” Merchant said.
The Marine City Area Chamber of Commerce boasts more than 100 members today.
In the city itself, the chamber will be placing a pair of signs to further promote Discover 48039. Each sign will include a map and the businesses that helped sponsor the board will have their business cards displayed on it. One sign will be placed at Civic Women’s Club River Park and the other will be installed at the new transient marina.
“Promoting Marine City advances the success of Marine City by attracting visitors who may want to invest, return or live here,” Merchant said.
Membership in the Marine City Chamber is open to anyone who has a business in or around the city and dues are $170 a year. The chamber hosts mixers, both morning and evening events, each week and works hard to support their community.
“We are a very active chamber not only promoting businesses but supporting what’s going on in the city too,” Merchant said. “And we want to continue our growth here, we have some vacant store fronts and maybe someone will visit and decide to open a business here.”
To find out more about the Marine City Chamber visit them online at visitmarinecity.com.
